Plot

In the Riverlands

Near Harrenhal

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is weak, feverish, and dejected. Locke (Noah Taylor) and his men have hung Jaime's severed hand around his neck and continue to mock him mercilessly. After tumbling from the saddle, Jaime begs for water, but Locke gives him a canteen of horse urine instead. In a surge of effort, Jaime manages to steal a sword, but he can barely stand, much less wield a sword with his left hand. Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) moves to help Jaime, but is quickly subdued. Once Jaime has been beaten down, Locke promises to take his other hand if he tries again.

That night, Jaime refuses to eat. When Brienne asks what his is doing, Jaime says he is dying. Brienne urges him to live for revenge, but he says he does not care. Brienne calls him a coward for giving up after one misfortune. Jaime insists he was his sword hand, but Brienne ridicules him for whining and quitting at his first taste of the real world, saying he sounds like a "bloody woman." Taking her point, Jaime starts eating. Brienne mentions that she knows Jaime saved her from rape by telling Locke that Tarth was called the "Sapphire Isle." She points out that Jaime knew the name came from the blue of the water, and asks why he helped her, but he does not answer.

The Hound declares that if they mean to murder him they should get on with it. Thoros declares killing him would be justice, not murder, and Anguy (Phillip McGinley) tells of the atrocities committed by the Lannisters at the Mummer's Ford. The Hound points out he was not there. Thoros accuses House Clegane of being built upon the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon Targaryen during the Sack of King's Landing. The Hound insists he is not his brother and never even saw the Targaryen babes. He demands to know if being born a Clegane is a crime, and urges them again to get on with killing him, but demands they stop pretending it would not be murder.

Then Arya angrily accuses the Hound of cutting down her friend Mycah. The Hound admits he did, but argues that he was Joffrey's sworn shield at the time and in no position to question his orders. Beric admits that no one knows the truth of the charge, so only a trial by combat can settle the issue. The Hound taunts Thoros and Anguy to face him, but Beric declares it will be him the Hound fights.

At King's Landing

Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) visits Varys (Conleth Hill) to ask for proof that his sister was behind the attempt on his life, but Varys admits he has only whispers. Asking if Tyrion still wishes to know how he was castrated, Varys reveals that as a slave he was sold to a sorcerer in Myr. The sorcerer paralyzed him with a potion, but left him conscious as his genitals were cut off and burned on a brazier. Varys explains that his recurring nightmare is not of the sorcerer or his blade, but of the voice from the flames that answered the sorcerer's call. He admits he does not know if it was real or a trick, but ever since he has hated magic, explaining his help against Stannis and his red priestess as "symbolic revenge." Tyrion insists he wants actual revenge but lacks the influence. Varys opines that influence is a matter of patience; when the sorcerer cast him out to die, he resolved to live out of spite and eventually rose from the slums of Myr to the small council chamber. As he finishes his tale, Varys also finishes opening the large crate he has been unsealing. Inside is the very same sorcerer who castrated him so many years ago. Varys urges Tyrion again to be patient and his revenge will come, if he has the stomach for it.

Later, Varys visits his informer Ros (Esmé Bianco). They are both perplexed by news of Podrick Payne's prodigious sexual performance. When Varys asks what Littlefinger thinks of such a loss of income, Ros explains he is preoccupied by travel preparations. Varys wonders at Littlefinger's suddenly loss of interest in Sansa Stark, but Ros shows him a manifest that shows Littlefinger has prepared two feather beds; who besides Sansa would warrant such extravagance from Littlefinger?

While Joffrey continues the tour, Olenna asks if Cersei's husband was buried amongst the other kings, but Cersei explains that Robert preferred to be buried at Storm's End. Olenna laments Robert's death, but Cersei notes that hunting and drinking are a dangerous mix. Olenna remarks that her son hunts to help him forget he is not a warrior. Cersei recalls that Lord Macebesieged Storm's End for nearly a year, but Olenna insists he only besieged the banquet table. She says she counseled her son to keep out of Robert's Rebellion, since all mother's do their best to protect their sons. Olenna goes on to ridicule the patriarchy of their society, which Cersei halfheartedly calls the will of the gods.

Meanwhile, Joffrey explains to Margaery that his father, King Robert, once considered disposing of all the entombed Targaryens. Margaery says she is glad he did not. When she senses Joffrey's displeasure, she clarifies that although the Targaryens did horrible things, they also created wonderful things like the Great Sept itself. She declares that severity is sometimes the price of greatness, which pleases Joffrey. Hearing the crowd gathered outside, Margaery convinces Joffrey to greet them. Appeased by Margaery's charity and largely unwitting of Joffrey's cruelty (which mostly happens out of the public eye), the crowd happily cheer for the royal couple. Cersei quickly realizes she has completely lost her son to the Tyrells.

Later, Cersei meets with her father, Lord Tywin (Charles Dance), in his chambers to ask if everything possible is being done to find Jaime. Tywin points out that he started a war when Tyrion, whom he despises, was taken prisoner, so he is certainly doing all he can for his eldest son and "heir," a term that makes it clear he still intends for Jaime to inherit despite his Kingsguard vows. Cersei asks if Tywin has ever considered that she might be more worthy than her brothers. She claims she is the only one living by his principles of family and legacy, and suggests she might have the most to contribute. When Tywin humors her with a chance to contribute, Cersei expresses her concern that Margaery Tyrell can manipulate Joffrey. Tywin says he is glad someone can, since she obviously cannot. He adds that his distrust for Cersei is not because of gender, but because she is not as smart as she thinks. Cersei suggests Tywin should try to control Joffrey himself, which Tywin declares he will.

Meanwhile, Olenna sits in the gardens with two young relatives. One has embroidered a golden Tyrell rose with their motto, "Growing Strong," which Olenna complains are the dullest words of any House; "Winter is Coming" and "We Do Not Sow" are memorable and direwolves and krakens are fearsome, but a golden rose growing strong is just boring.

Varys arrives with his usual pleasantries, but Olenna is unmoved and Varys is forced to get to the point: he fears Littlefinger intends to take control of Sansa Stark. With her youngerbrothers presumed dead, Sansa is the rightful heir to the North. This makes her far too precious a prize for the likes of Littlefinger. Olenna notes that Varys must despise Littlefinger to undermine him so. Varys insists that he enjoys sparring with Littlefinger, but fears he would burn the entire realm to be king of the ashes. Olenna calls Varys clever, but say the solution is obvious.

Soon after, Margaery Tyrell visits Sansa Sophie Turner) at her prayers and dismisses Sansa's guards so they can talk in secret. After some polite smalltalk, Margaery invites Sansa to visit Highgarden some day. Sansa doubts Queen Cersei will allow her to leave the city, but Margaery replies that after the royal wedding she will be queen and if Sansa were to marry Loras her place would be at Highgarden. Sansa is very pleased by the idea of escaping King's Landing and marrying her idol, so she agrees.

Elsewhere, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) visits Gilly (Hannah Murray), who is distraught over the fate of her newborn son. Sam says the baby is beautiful and asks if he has a name yet. Gilly insists he not draw attention to the baby's gender and wonders why she should name him if he is only going to be sacrificed to the White Walkers. She gives Sam his thimble back and insists she has time for no one but her son, who is running out of time.

That night, Lord CommanderJeor Mormont (James Cosmo) leads the funeral service for a ranger named Bannen who has died of his wounds. Mormont does not know much about him, but supplies many generic compliments about riding far and fighting fiercely, and claims they will never see his like again. He closes the eulogy with the traditional refrain, "And now his watch is ended," which the brothers echo. After Mormont departs, Rast blames Bannen's death on Craster's meager provisions. Sam insists they are not thieves, but Rast is convinced that while they are starving in the snow, Craster will throw a feast and laugh at them.

Inside the keep, Craster continues to drunkenly berate the brothers. Mormont assures him they will leave when their wounded are strong enough, but Craster scoffs and urges them to just kill those too wounded to travel or else leave them for him to finish. Just then, Karl comes in to complain about the quality of Craster's rations and says he would prefer what Craster has hidden away. Mormont attempts to send Karl away, but Rast joins in. Craster admits he has winter stockpiles, but insists he needs to feed his women. Rast calls Craster a stingy bastard, which throws Craster into a rage. He orders them all out into the cold and threatens to chop off the hands of the next man to call him a bastard.

After a tense moment, Karl declares Craster a "daughter-fucking, wildling bastard." Craster lunges with his axe, but Karl blocks and stabs Craster under the jaw. Throwing the dying Craster to the ground, Karl seizes one of the wives to demand the hidden food. Mormont bellows that they will be cursed for violating the guest right and moves to face off with Karl. Then Rast stabs the Lord Commander in the back. For a moment everyone is frozen in shock, then total chaos descends. Grenn charges Karl, Craster's wives panic, and Mormont seizes Rast by the throat. Despite his injury, Mormont throws Rast against the wall and begins choking him, but then he coughs up blood and his enormous strength fails. As Mormont collapses, Rast grabs a knife and stabs him to death.

The mutiny spreads throughout the camp. Some of the criminals exiled to the Wall join Karl and Rast and turn on the loyalist like Grenn and Dolorous Edd. Meanwhile, Sam rushes to Gilly's hut and insists they have to escape now. At the edge of the forest, Gilly takes the lead since she knows the area best. Rast emerges from the keep, covered in blood, to shout that Sam can run for now, but he will be cutting his throat soon.

Undisclosed

Elsewhere in the North, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) follows the boy (Iwan Rheon) who rescued him. The boy says he was sent by Theon's sister Yara to infiltrate their enemies. Theon recalls that his torturers claimed his father knew what they were doing, but the boy says he knows nothing about that.

Arriving at a castle, the boy decides to sneak in through the drains since the guards are not to be trusted. While the boy fumbles with a locked gate, Theon laments that he was forced to choose between two families. Filled with remorse, he admits he had two orphans killed to replace Bran and Rickon Stark when they escaped, so he could keep Winterfell and make his father proud. The boy suggests it is not too late, but Theon insists it is because his real father lost his head at King's Landing; he chose wrong, and now he has burned everything down. The boy comforts Theon and opens the gate.

Entering a dark room, Theon calls for his sister. Then the boy lights a torch to reveal the same cross Theon was tortured on before; the boy has brought him back to his captors. Guards seize Theon and the boy commands them to put Theon back on the cross where he belongs.

Daenerys retrieves her black dragon from his cage and exchanges his leash-chain for the harpy whip that signifies ownership of the Unsullied. She asks if the transaction is done, and Kraznys declares it is as he struggles to rein in the dragon. To Missandei's surprise, Daenerys calls the Unsullied to attention in Valyrian and proceeds to test them with basic Valyrian marching commands. Too distracted to notice, Kraznys complains that the dragon will not come when he commands. Daenerys turns back to Kraznys and declares in perfect Valyrian that a dragon is not a slave. Kraznys is confused by the realization Daenerys has been feigning ignorance. Daenerys declares that Valyrian is her mother tongue as a descendent of Old Valyria.

Daenerys then orders the Unsullied to slay all of the masters, soldiers, and every other man who holds a whip. She also orders them to harm no innocents and to strike the chains off every slave they see. The Unsullied obey without question and attack the nearby masters and overseers. Kraznys frantically calls for Daenerys to be killed, but she uses the word "dracarys" to order her dragon to burn Kraznys to death. The dragon then proceeds to use fire to aid the Unsullied in sacking the city.

Following the Sack of Astapor, the Unsullied return to the plaza and form up again. Mounting a white horse, Daenerys declares they are free but asks them to stay and fight for her as free men. One by one, the Unsullied begin striking their spears on the ground in support until thousands have join in and she has her army. Triumphantly, Daenerys leads her army of 8,000 Unsullied out of the ruin of Astapor. She drops the harpy whip on the ground and her soldiers trample it while her three dragons fly free overhead.

This episode marks the re-introduction of Lord Beric Dondarrion, now played by Richard Dormer. The character previously appeared in a single scene of the episode "A Golden Crown" played by an extra named David Michael Scott.